We install solar systems and powerbank charger boxes at local public schools. The rental kiosks - called Light Libraries- are managed by trained local entrepreneurs. Families sign up to a daily rental service and take home a quality bright light, connected to a rechargeable powerbank.
This solution provides a cleaner, safer, and healthier, alternative to kerosene lamps and candles which the vast majority of rural households still rely on.
Students bring their powerbank to school in the morning and take them home after school. During weekends and holidays the community and entrepreneur organise collection and drop off points to maintain the service.
Thanks to this rechargeable light source, students who were previously unable to study after dark can now complete their homework in the evenings. This has led to a significant improvement in homework completion rates, contributing positively to overall school performance and learning outcomes.
The powerbanks are charged using a unique power bank charger which has 48 ports and can charge up to 96 powerbanks daily.
The light library system can be expanded to grow with local demand. Each system can power up to two charger boxes and provide clean lights for up to 192 families every day.
When demand grows further, we add panels and further boxes.
Each rental costs 0.025 cents per day or 0.25 GBP per week. 35% of the rental fee is income for the entrepreneur, 5% is shared with the school and 60% covers the cost of Jiro-Ve recouping some of the investment as well as covering the costs to maintain the service.
We are currently developing a portable Light Library system for smaller or more remote communities.
In just three years, SUM has reached over 80 communities across Madagascar with Light Libraries. Whilst usage varies – given the seasonality of income, on average we reach 7,600 families every day.
In the majority of communities this is the first time people have ever had access to clean lighting, cutting out toxic fumes as well as fire risks from kerosene and candles.
We provide digital education resources to support teacher development and significantly improve student literacy and numeracy. We also train teachers and local school administration staff to embed the programme and keep it running.
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We are piloting solar cooking solutions for school feeding programmes, aiming to reduce firewood use, lower carbon emissions, and mitigate environmental degradation.
Learn MoreWant to know more about our Light Libraries, Digital Learning programmes, or how to get involved? Please get in touch to discuss how you can help power positive change.
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